“LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) – China is no longer welcome in Britain’s steel sector after the government had to pass emergency legislation on Saturday to ensure control of Chinese-owned British Steel, business minister Jonathan Reynolds said on Sunday.” pic.twitter.com/r5J84q0xPY
— Kalu Aja (@FinPlanKaluAja1) April 13, 2025
Houthis Launch Missile at Israel
On April 13, 2025, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile targeting Israel. The missile triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and parts of the West Bank. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the missile was likely intercepted by air defenses, with shrapnel falling in the Hebron area of the West Bank. No injuries or major damage were reported.
Initially, the IDF indicated that two missiles might have been launched but later clarified that only one missile was fired. This marks the continuation of Houthi attacks on Israel since March 2025, following the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza. These attacks are claimed by the Houthis to be in solidarity with Palestinians.
The interception caused delays for flights at Ben Gurion Airport, and local searches for debris were conducted. This incident reflects ongoing regional tensions amid the broader conflict involving Gaza and escalating U.S.-Iran dynamics.
Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Party Falling Apart
Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, is moving toward shutting down after a key vote on April 13, 2025. In that vote, more than 90% of participating members agreed to let the party’s central committee begin the process of dissolving the organization. This decision comes as political freedoms in Hong Kong continue to disappear under pressure from China’s government.
Party members have faced growing warnings from Chinese authorities about the risks of staying active. Founding member Yeung Sum and others were reportedly told that shutting down the party would help them avoid harsh punishment, especially with new legislative elections approaching. The 2020 national security law has also played a major role in the party’s decision. That law has been used to arrest and imprison many pro-democracy activists, including former lawmakers from the Democratic Party. It has also drastically limited who can run for office in Hong Kong, allowing only so-called “patriots” to take part.
Once considered a moderate political force in Hong Kong, the Democratic Party has seen its role shrink to that of a small pressure group with little real influence. The broader political environment, filled with censorship, surveillance, and restrictions on basic freedoms, has made it nearly impossible for the party to function as it once did.
While the party’s disbandment is not yet final, the vote signals a dark moment for democracy in Hong Kong. The Democratic Party’s likely closure marks another step in the steady erosion of the autonomy and freedoms that Hong Kong was supposed to enjoy under the “one country, two systems” agreement following its 1997 handover from Britain. Still, many believe that even as formal pro-democracy organizations disappear, the desire for freedom and democracy among Hong Kong’s people will live on in other ways.
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